originale o modificato?

[Zinhead]

I recently purchased a 74 GTV in very good and original condition. The vehicle has the original shocks and springs, which have sagged over time. Combined with the federally mandated elevated front ride height, the car has a bit of the motorboat look to it. This is visible in the attached picture. Also, the tires while looking good are an older, non-performance set. In sum, the car doesn't handle the way a GTV should.

There are two options with the suspension. I could keep the car as original as possible by adding stock style springs and cutting the front to match the height of the back, putting in OEM (Sachs) style shocks, and possibly replacing the tires with new 165x14 Michelin XAS from Coker tire. Or, I could modify it as the majority of GTV's seem to be with high performance springs (IAP reds for example), Koni shocks and 205/60x14 Yokohams AVS. Maybe even replace the original 14x5.5 steel wheels with Cromodora's or GTA replica's.

Basically, it comes down to whether to keep the car as close to as it left the factory, or modify it with alot of the go fast goodies that seem so popular with Alfa's.

[Jase]

Some excellent questions...
My 73 GTV suffers from exactly the same affliction, so I look forward to the responses.
Jason

[67GTV]

ZH, ultimately it's up to you. Whether you want to be a purist and keep her bone stock. Or add to her prowess by upgrading the suspension and tires. I personally see nothing wrong with making such upgrades. It's not like you're putting a gastly false hood scoop or giant wing on the trunk lid.

If you do change the wheels, I may be interested in your current set.

[Lanciahf]

Hi,

My 74 GTV was the same way. I lowered the front by taking out the spacers under the front springs. The spacers vary in height and they sit in the spring pans. This allowed me to keep the stock springs.

Good Luck,
Ralph

[djone101]

My opinion - for what it's worth....

If Alfa had access to the springs, shocks, tyres etc that we have today I'm sure the GTV would have benefited form these. Accordingly I think it is perfectly reasonable to fit lower springs, modern rubber and different shocks. With wheels I think it is a metter of taste - I like something that looks period, panasports (minilites) or GTA replicas all fit the bill. The stance of the car suits a lower than stock appearance.

If you have concerns over re-sale keep all the take off components in a box for the next owner.

If you bought an Armani suit you wouldn't walk around with the sleeves longer than your arms.......

[turbolarespider]

My .02 lira...

It all depends on what you want to do with the car.

1) totally original tires, just enjoy the car- try to live with the lean, as I think the car handles REALLY well even with the lean. You can set a very nice drift. Keep the springs stock, adjust ride height with spacers (I'm sure they are in both front and back)

2) high performance street tires- enjoy the car. *might* have to slightly uprate the springs. Not sure, don't have that much experience, except that a friend has his GTA JR like this, and it still handles perfectly on the original springs.

3) any type of race tires- don't bother with stock springs. I did this for a few years, and the car handled really badly. The tires totally overwhelm the springs, and wear them badly on the outside. Need very high performance set up. Interesting note- with all this on my car, when I really push the car hard, the reactions of the car are exactly like they were when I had the original set up on normal tires. Which makes me smile

Over the next few years, I'll be building another race car for track days, vintage racing, and autocrossing. When I'm done, my gold GTV will go back to stock springs. Its a little harsh on the street.

YMMV....

Eric

[italcarguy]

it all depends what you wanna do with the car. you ask a "concours person" and they are gonna tell you leave it stock. the you go ask a "racer" and they are gonna tell you to modify it. in the end, it's all up to you...you are the one driving it.

if you decide to go with all stock, you will have a rare car that many people would lust after. you just don't come across many original, low milage gtvs. if you do suff to it, you will have a car that will just surprise you day after day with it's capabilities.

whatever it is that you decide to do, make sure you save everything and try not to cut any holes to adapt parts.

either way, in the end, you will still have a beautiful gtv.

[genericwood]

Well, I'll throw in my $.02. GTV's handle quite nicely with original suspension and stock size tires. But....they handle unbelievably well with some modest modification! I have the IAP street springs (1" lower), Koni reds - set most of the way soft, Panasports and 205/55-15 Bridgestone Potenzas. The ride is certainly more firm than stock, but is acceptable to me. And the car sure handles like it is on a rail!

Erik Wood
'74 GTV
'56 Giulietta Spider (still soft and stock)

[mister]

Zin,

I recently modified my 73. I live in a chicago suburbs and would be happy to hook up with you and share what I have done.

Mcalexa@sbcglobal.net

PS..

I did look at your car before you purchased it....A man in Hinsdale I believe owned it. Nice car.

Let me know if your interested

Michael

[Roadtrip]

I agree with Anthony. Although I'm a "stock" kind of guy, I think there's nothing wrong with upgrading a street car providing you don't start doing anything irreversable and you save the parts for a return-to-stock mod. GTVs especially look good with a few slick mods, as well as when they're bone-stock.

For resale considerations, keep in mind that some people will be very wary of buying a modified car, especially if it's been cut and the stock parts weren't saved.

[Zinhead]

Quote:

Originally posted by mister Zin, I recently modified my 73. I live in a chicago suburbs and would be happy to hook up with you and share what I have done. Michael

[Velocess]

I vote to keep it stock. There are so many molested GTVs out there. What you have is rare and VERY cool. Go the stock route first. You can always modify it later, but not the reverse.

If you bring the front end down, use regular shocks with XAS's, I believe you will have plenty of fun.

Velocess

[PSk]

Replace the springs with new STOCK springs!@!!

Springs lengthen with age and thus do not return to their correct compressed height ... and thus the car lifts.

A new but STOCK spring will be shorter than the old spring and may actually lower the front.

Pete